Scores & Songs That Weren’t Nominated For An Oscar But Definitely Deserved It

Just because the Academy didn’t love them doesn’t mean we can’t

Collectively, the Academy may be the most knowledgeable body for all things related to film, but the general public definitely knows what they like. Over the years, there have been cries of outrage over nomination snubs, seemingly-biased wins and misrepresentation of non-white directors, producers, actors and composers.

But hey, just because the Academy has deemed something not worthy of an Oscar nod doesn’t mean we can’t fully appreciate it for what it is, right?

Psycho (1960)

The most memorable score moment of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho has to be the shrieking violins of the shower scene, which in itself is no masterpiece, but the film’s music is definitely more than its parts. Bernard Hermann’s scoring in this classic is brilliant, creepy and consistently suspenseful throughout the entire movie. And if it wasn’t for him, we as an audience wouldn’t have been brought to the same depths as Janet Leigh’s growing dread and getting caught for larceny.

There Will Be Blood (2008)

When There Will Be Blood hit cinemas around the world, Jonny Greenwood’s soundtrack was an instant hit. And with the critics behind him, it seemed as if an Oscar nomination was within reach. But because rules are rules, the Radiohead guitarist didn’t get his nod that year as the score was made up of 46 minutes of pre-existing work and only 35 minutes of original recordings.

Inglorious Basterds (2009)

Many remember movies scenes for character monologues, but one unforgettable moment from Inglorious Basterds relies almost solely on the score (and acting, of course). Ennio Morricone’s hand on the scene above should have gotten him an Oscar nom at the very least.

Lady Bird (2018)

The film itself might have gotten a lot of attention at this year’s Academy Awards, but Jon Brion’s whimsical score for Lady Bird definitely deserved some love, too. Enough said.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (from Meet Me In St. Louis; 1944)

At this point, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas is so universal that many don’t even know it originated in Vincente Minnelli’s movie musical, Meet Me In St. Louis—and with no less than Judy Garland at the helm.

To Sir With Love (from To Sir With Love; 1967)

In 1967, To Sir With Love was the number 1 pop song of the year and to this day, many consider it one of the best original movie songs of all time. Lulu singing the love song is breathtaking to watch and listen to.

Pure Imagination (from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory; 1975)

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory received some attention from the Academy, but this particularly touching ballad from Gene Wilder was unpopularly missing from the Best Original Song category. Despite this and the decades that have since past, the song remains an inspiration for many.

Don’t You Forget About Me (from The Breakfast Club; 1985)

The Breakfast Club is a classic in its entirety, but Don’t You Forget About Me from Simple Minds didn’t just epitomize the film along with John Bender’s fist-raised ending scene—it practically defined teen angst pop culture in the 80s.

This is Halloween (from The Nightmare Before Christmas; 1993)

Magical yet brooding, brilliant and spooky, This Is Halloween from one of Tim Burton’s most popular animations is engrained in every millennial’s memory.

Despite the lack of acclaim from the Academy, these scores and songs deserve our praise.